Almost Home

by Damien Echols

Almost Home is a message to you from a faraway place. It is a message from a 12-foot by 9-foot cell in a cinderblock building surrounded by coils of razor wire in the middle of a dirt field in Arkansas. It was written by a young man named Damien Echols and it chronicles his life and his experiences in a way that clearly illuminates him, not as a monster, but as a human being. For over 10 years Damien has been an inmate on death row for a crime he did not commit. He, along with Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley have become known as The West Memphis Three, and though the story of their arrest and conviction is widely known, most people don’t know the real people behind the sound bites and the TV news segment clips. Damien has spent much of his time behind bars diligently maintaining his integrity and his sanity by writing. Almost Home is the product of that self-discipline, and in it you will meet someone who has survived an ordeal many of us would find impossible to

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Crime, Autobiography, Biography Memoir

151 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2005

About the author

Damien Wayne Echols, along with Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin, is one of the three men, known as the West Memphis Three, who were convicted in the killing of three eight-year-old boys Steve Branch, Christopher Byers, and Michael Moore at Robin Hood Hills, West Memphis, Arkansas, on May 5, 1993.

Damien Echols was convicted of murder by a jury and sentenced to death by lethal injection. He was on death row under 23 hours per day lockdown at the Varner Supermax. On August 19, 2011, Echols, along with the two others collectively known at the West Memphis Three, were released from prison after their attorneys and the judge handling the upcoming retrial agreed to a deal. Under the terms of the Alford guilty plea, Echols and his co-defendents pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree murder while maintaining their innocence. DNA evidence failed to connect Echols or his co-defendents to the crime.

Reviews

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am following The west Memphis case for years now. I have seen 4 documentaries about this case and it just made me so sad. The amount of injustice, hate, unfairness...is sickening. I am happy for all three men, that they did get their freedom but it's 18 years too late and sadly, they are still labeled as guilty. It's so uncredibly sad how everyone in Damien's life failed him...his family, the state, justice system, judge, lawyer, prison guards,... I loveeeed the way he described his wife, the love he feels for her and their relationship. They were meant to be. What a man! He really has a writing talent.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this book 5 stars, not necessarily due to its being a literary wonder, but because of its subject matter. It is an autobiography by a young man (Damien Echols) currently sitting on death row in an Arkansas prison for crimes he did not commit. In 1993 three young boys were brutally murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas. Damien Echols was one of three teenagers who were convicted of the murders, although there was no physical evidence connecting them to the crime. The convictions of Damien, Jessie Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin (referred to as the West Memphis Three) were the result of a Salem-esque witchhunt due to the community's grief and outrage at the murders of young Chris Byers, Michael Moore, and Stevie Branch. This autobiography is appropriately titled Volume One. Hopefully there will be a Volume Two after the release of Damien, Jessie and Jason. I am one reader who is eagerly awaiting Volume Two! To learn more about and follow the legal process to free the WM3, go to: www.wm3.org

[Leticia Supple · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have long known the story of the West Memphis Three. One of my friends was deeply into the cause, and, some years ago, ran a film night at Adelaide's Mercury Cinemas, to raise money to help their legal battles. She did a fantastic job; but more to the point, that was the first time I had ever seen anything much about the story.

This book is a simple, passionate, peaceful autobiography by Damien Echols, writing about his version of events. It details his life up to the point where he was arrested, and after that only covers the aspects of his life that he wished to bring to the world. As he pointed out in the book, the story of the WM3 had already been more than ably covered by other books and documentaries.

The beauty of this novel lies in its simplicity. It reads like a letter, which in many ways is how it was written. You come to know Damien very personally, and as far as much autobiography goes, is devoid of ego. It is rare to read a text like this, and I suspect it has something to do with his perspective on the world after devoting himself to studies such as Buddhism, Zen, and many other philosophies. I won't go into the detail, but it was this section of the work in which much of the story really drew me in. I'm a sucker for that stuff.

Downside? As always, the errors, man, the textual, unnecessary errors!! Fuuck me drunk, I fear I will never read another beautifully edited book in my life. I hope I'm wrong.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having followed the story of the West Memphis Three for many years I was interested in reading Echols own words and learning more about his life firsthand. What I found was an interesting read that gave me a glimpse of what it was like for someone going into the prison system at such a young age. If you are looking for a literary masterpiece this is not the book for you, understandably Echols has been stunted in almost all possible ways. The word "magick" is found on almost every page and there were other things that I found distracting at times. I found Almost Home to be a sad book overall, Echols has no concept of what it's like to live as a free adult. That is deeply reflected in his writing (and I say that in the nicest way, as I don't blame him). Hopefully justice will soon be had for the WM3 as I feel Echols has much to offer society, he just needs to be able to live as a free man and come into his own.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book from the moment I began reading it. I have known about this case since I was 15 years old (i'm 31 now) and I have followed it closely.
It tells Damien's life story from childhood up until the book was published, he's honest about the many people who came in and out of his life & he's very open about the way he was treated by adults throughout his life.
I can say that this book, at times, made me feel a lot of different emotions from fury, shock, sadness but also it made me laugh out loud at some things & chuckle in recognition at others.
One thing he says in the book he that he has taught himself to be a good writer and that's exactly what it is, I know for sure if he published other things i'd read them, I found his writing to be intelligent, honest, clever and funny.

[Loki · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was me at that age. He has spent 18 years in jail for a crime he's not guilty of. I support the West Memphis 3.

[Xanthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book before I read Damien Echols 2nd autobiography "Life after Death", which I intend on reading very soon.
Despite this book being full of typos, this book was a riveting read. I realized that I am just 4 years older than Damien, so as I read this book, I reflected on where I was and what my life was like at the same time frame as he is describing his childhood and teen years. We both come from first world countries, living in dysfunctional homes, in poor areas. His level of poverty, however, made my mind boggle. It was a level that went far, far beyond my experiences and made me wonder how it could be in a nation as rich as the United States?
Then there was the level of religious fear and small mindedness of people against someone who looked different. Reading his take on living in the South in the 80's and 90's and being into heavy metal music, wearing black, and having gothic leanings (as I do) and how people in his town (police especially) reacted to that, just blows my mind. This was, after all, the 1980's and not the 1880s.
This book was definitely an eye opener and it was fascinating to read about who he is as a person and where he came from, how he coped on death row for 11 years (when this book was written), with the specter of execution hanging over his head.
I looked forward to reading next book, which I am told is very well written, intelligent, and powerful.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free the West Memphis Three.

[Lightupvirginmary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. Damien Echols is a very special person. The description of his wife at the end is one of the most romantic things I've ever read. I bawled my eyes out.

[Ocean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have very mixed feelings about "Almost home".
I came rather late to watching the Paradise Lost movies, I wasn't even born when Damien, Jason and Jesse were arrested for the murder of three children in their neighbourhood. Yet from the first minute I came across the case I became obsessed. Sadly it will probably never be resolved but I digress.
I was outraged at the way the prosecution was handled and couldn't help but see myself in these kids who had been injustly accused of the worst actions immaginable simply for being different, outcasts in an ignorant "christian" community.

I always try and seek the point of view of the less powerful and I enjoyed getting to know the poor, white side of the U.S' south through Damien's eyes. I don't know how I could feel anything other than sympathy when reading about how he was harassed by the police for no reason, the horrendous way he has been treated by prison guards and the system as a whole.
At the same time, this very much reads like some kind of teenage diary and it isn't a literary prowess to say the least, It's not even properly edited. The fatphobia in here made me want to puke, the mention of "superior breeding in the old south" almost had me put the book down permanently as well.
This was published in the mid 2000's and I feel he should have known better, as a former budhist, as someone who also claims to see everyone as part of a whole etc, he sure judges other's physical appearance a lot here and seems to have had his head up his ass. I'll forgive this, I don't think he's a bad person but in many ways it made for a dreadful read.

Nonetheless, it is an emotional memoir. Damien's heart really shines through the pages. There is much anger to be found there -understandably- but also love and passion and a hopefulness that is hard to find in the best individuals. The end of the book was inspiring, I admire the man's resilience and his will to keep fighting from a place where you can't even look out of a window or seek refuge in the arms of a friend.

Overall I wouldn't recommend the book. Not only is it pretty niche but Damien's point of view is in many ways limited. Not the most satisfying book either.

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I... okay.

I've been learning... a lot about this case in the past month. And I think they're innocent. I mean, I probably wouldn't be giving Damien Echols five stars on Goodreads if I thought this book was a pack of lies. But the thing is--the thing is, out of the three, Damien Echols has always elicited the least emotion from me. I mean, I feel terrible about what he went through and all, but I never connected to him the way I connected to Jason, and I never felt for him the way I felt for Jessie.

Until this book. I mean, there are times when he's a little self-important and there are times (particularly in the chapter about the Buddhism) when he loses me. But a lot of the time, when he's talking about particular feelings--man, I get him. I connected to it. And this book, maybe it's 'cause I read it so closely, 'cause it is for research so I annotated the hell out of it, like you should see the sea of tabs, but it made me laugh (boy's funny!), and it made me tear up, I was near crying a lot of times.

I know that his other memoir, Life After Death, is pretty much this expanded, but I'm gonna read that one too. Because I mean--the story reads different if it's in a different length, or whatever. But yeah.

Yeah.

[Anna brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed this case for years after coming across one of the documentaries and found myself engrossed in this nightmare that Damein and Co found themselves in.
Damiens story is completely heart breaking. I hope that true justice is done for the three poor boys.
This is an amazing brutally honest story of the worst crime.

[G · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made it 40 pages and decided to quit

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve followed the case of the West Memphis Three since the boys were first convicted, so I was glad to finally get my hands on Almost Home. If you’re not familiar with the story, however, this is not the place to start. Instead watch the HBO documentaries Paradise Lost and Paradise Lost II. Then read Mara Leveritt’s book, Devil’s Knot. There are plenty of other books and films to check out from there, and Almost Home is one of the worthwhile. But. There is a powerful section in Echols’ book where he discusses his famous (infamous) journal passages which were used against him at trial and celebrated by some of his supporters. He laments that most people get to put their embarrassing angst-ridden teenage years behind them—they’re remembered, if at all, only by those who were close to them at the time. But in Damien’s case, his age-typical cheesy depressive love poetry and scribblings were published for the entire world and continue to be passed around to this day. (Thank you, Internet.) He basically says he feels mortified every time he sees or hears about those journal entries. And who wouldn’t? I’m embarrassed by things I felt in my 20’s, let alone my teens. In any case, Almost Home was written while Damien was still in prison, had been in prison since he was a teenager, and I feel like his lack of adult experience outside of penal institutions is apparent in this book. I give him a great deal of credit for the maturity and discipline he had cultivated all on his own by this point, but there are still plenty of little reminders that Damien’s been isolated 23 hours a day for the previous 15+ years and may have missed some developmental stages for lack of exposure. I fear that he may now look back at this book with some of the same feelings he has about his teenage journals. Not to the same extreme extent, of course, but still. I’m really looking forward to reading Life After Death.

[Diana]

This book is intense and compelling.

Echols is a coherent and sympathetic writer; he states that he wishes to laugh when he laughs, cry when he cries, and feel his emotions, and this is something he manages to accomplish.

My interpretation of the book was not that he was presenting himself in too positive a light; indeed, there were many times I thought "God, what a jerk" and he himself used stronger epithets than that to describe his own behaviour.

But whatever else this book is, it's not an easy read. It's gripping and emotional, and sensitive readers are advised to take it in stages.

This is not a criticism of Echols. There was a time in his life when the family was so poor they were living in a one-room tin shack with a dirt floor and trying to grow their own food to survive, and as an intelligent but (in my opinion) sarcastic and misanthropic teen with "unusual" interests living in small town deep South, his life was ripped away from him at an appallingly young age by corrupt authorities.

The list of injustices that have happened on this case are appalling and the fact that these things could happen in America in the late 20th century are frightening. This book, the documentary Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills and the case should be required reading and knowledge for all junior high and high school students, all criminal justice students and law students.

[Joe Juarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

To tell you the truth, I have not followed news coverage of the West Memphis Three: Three young men accused of a brutal murder in Arkansas. Two were given life imprisonment and the supposed ring leader, Damien Echols was sent to death row. All claimed their innocence, but the people assumed that they were devil worshippers and cannibals and wanted justice done the American way: by taking their freedom away.

In 2011, they were granted their freedom, but I am sure they endured a hell that they didn't deserve. Echols, in his short autobiography (he wrote a couple more in the last few years), documented how a flawed Arkansas justice system sentence him to death.

As the book documented the way he was treated, he wrote that America's definition of freedom was misunderstood. Just because he wore all black, had long black hair, and had a love for heavy metal music, he was singled out by his hometown people. They thought that the American dream shouldn't be like that. They didn't care that he was brilliant person who was interested in history or Zen Bhuddism, they just cared that he was off the streets.

This book taught me that just because a person is different doesn't mean that he or she is a danger to society. They could be helpful. All that society has to do is listen.

[Laren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Damien Echols' life as told by him. Damien Echols is the "ringleader" of the West Memphis Three (www.wm3.org) whose story was told in the HBO documentaries "Paradise Lost - The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills" and "Paradise Lost 2 - Revelations". Other books have been written about the trial, etc. but this one primarily focuses on Damien's childhood before the trial. The trial is glossed over, as is much of his ten years so far on death row. The book was transcribed verbatim from his handwritten notes from jail, and no editing was done whatsoever. This is good, in that you get his own words, not "prettied up" to make him sound smarter than he is. This is bad in that sometimes the errors are distracting (a boy named Brian is alternately called Brain; suddenly a person's name will appear without introduction or background so you don't know who they are). The book is fairly enjoyable, although his childhood is rather appalling. Still, once he gets to the trial, the book becomes less than satisfying, especially since his case is still under appeals, and therefore could not be tied up in a pretty ending either way.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up because there's a poster in the library of Margaret Cho encouraging us to read and she's holding this book. I thought, if Margaret Cho likes it...

I'm a bit obsessed now. This is the autobiograhpical story of Damien Echols, sentenced to death row at the age of 19 for the murders of three eight year old boys outside the trailer park Damien lived in. there is no physical evidence connecting him, or his two " accompliaces" to the crime scene, and in past years with more sophisticated DNA evidence, they have found evidence implicating others (including the step-father of one of the victims) but not Echols or the other two men convicted of the crime. His childhood story is quite compelling. I especially like his stories about experienting with religion, and deciding to join the Catholic church. Coincidentally, it was his library books on wicca and other occult religions that were considered major evidence in this case.

I highly encourage everyone to watch the HBO documentary on the trials as well.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been fascinated by this story since the documentary on HBO, Paradise Lost:The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills. The murders took place in a poor section of the south. Watching the fair and evenly based documentary, we were able to draw our own conclusions. I listened to this kind of music, wore some black and had a slick hairstyle for the time. Just like The West Memphis Three, I was having fun with friends and listening to music. I did not worship the devil and neither did these three. They have since been set free after pleading the Alford plea. This is not ideal, but at least after 13 years, they are free. This book by Damien Echols is an intimate portrait if his life. Excellent. This has since been placed in moratorium and it is expensive, but, if you can find a copy ( I did at a used bookstore, Bookmans in Tucson AZ, for $9.95) buy it immediately, you won't be disappointed. If you can't find it, Damien just published his more recent life story, Life After Death, which is available on amazon and also worth buying.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book (and with Damien's mind) almost immediately. I was constantly snickering at his snarky and sarcastic insults and thoughts; feeling more angry than I already was with the state of Arkansas and wondering how the hell they got away with continual violations of laws and constitutional rights; experiencing feelings of bewilderment and insurmountable admiration for how he's handled this unfortunate situation after all this time; and, of course, swooning as he talked about his wife at the end. I couldn't stop reading, which I almost regret because I finished it far too soon. I'm drawn to and admire his resilience. He's a much better person than I would be had I gone through everything he did. I'll definitely be reading it again, though, hopefully with the same experience I had reading it the first time.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has not been touched by the story of the West Memphis Three or WM3, I highly suggest you learn about it. It’s an heart wrenching story of three mutilated and murdered 8 year olds and the three teenagers falsely accused of the crimes and sent to prison for life and death.

This book is a great companion piece to all three documentaries (which should be watched first). It answers so many questions and fills in so many pieces of Damien’s life before he and the others were falsely accused.

Damien writes likes he speaks, eloquently and with nothing but heart and truth. I understand he is writing Volume II. I cannot wait tor read it and see the upcoming Hollywood movie and Peter Jackson documentary.

For those interested, the book is selling used for crazy money ($3000 a copy on eBay) but the PDF can be found for $6 through lybrary.com .

[Angiebaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated with this case and found this book to be a great addition to anyone looking to hear from Damien Echols in the first person. But...BUT, a writer he is not. I think there is some stifled 17-year-old still rearing his head throughout this book (understandable) and the author is fond of the phrase "Great Deal"...as in, "He had a 'great deal' of fun.." or, "I would like to go home a great deal".

Although the writing leaves some to be desired, this book isnt as badly written as some of the other crap on the market and it really is entertaining. Highly readable, I read it in the tub in under 2 hours and would probably read another Echols biography if he comes out with one.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the memoir told in Damien's (one of the West Memphis Three) own words from prison. This is a book to read if you want to get a sense of what an unjust legal system does to it's victims. The book is not a great work of literature, it's not the best written, but it is exceedingly honest and heartbreaking.
Hearing the case from soundbites on NPR and the nightly news was one thing, but hearing what it was like straight from the horses mouth will haunt your dreams. I can not recommend this book enough. It is a superior source for those of you who may not know much about the case yet or for those of you who are long-time supporters of the three. Whichever of those categories you fall under, pick up this one, you won't regret it, and I hope to see some of you become supporters soon!

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I followed this story from the start. Our ages weren't very far apart, I , a little older, in my early 20's at the time, when memories of my teenage years were still fresh....I knew,even then,that this was a pure witch hunt. The kids I ran with were the long haired,black t shirt wearing,heavy metal listening"different" kids who expressed themselves in their appearance....That was their rebellion... . Sadly, that was the one thing, that really put Damien, Jason & Jesse in jail... Their individuality ..Had it not been for the HBO specials & celebrities like Johnny Depp & Eddie Veddar bringing national attention to this case, Damien would have been executed & the other two would still be incarcerated .. A tragic tale ~ Even more tragic, the REAL killer still roams free...

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story of an incredible injustice. I remember hearing about the case a few years ago when I watched the HBO 'Paradise Lost' documentaries. I was dumbfounded then how something like that could happen in today's society, and dumbfounded yet again reading this book. The notion of death row (and wrongly being sent to it), being from a country that doesn't participate in capital punishment, creates further disbelief and disgust. The book itself was very easy to read and extremely engaging prose. I would very highly recommend this book to absolutely anyone, as it could just well have happened to anyone else.

[Gʀᴇʏʜᴀᴍᴇ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A message from a place so far away that’s its reality of being in print and capablility of possession seems an impossible feat left to the imagination…Almost Home is but one autobiography of a certain falsely accused and convicted man upon death row. It is a not just a story, but a journey of professed innocence, a testament to the endurance of a wronged soul and salvation most profound found from within thick, guarded, unnecessary walls in which it was penned.
"Free the West Memphis Three!!"

[Jacqueline Cady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damien Echols has been through so much and many who gre up poor in the South, and they know who they are, will relate to what he says in his book. I really wanted to review "Life after death" but I have that on a different program not supported by Good reads. I read books off of ITunes and Kindle so if I find a review forum for them, u will see how much I really I read! This book is out of print but if u research Damien Echols and really want to read it, I might sell it!!'

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Damien Echols and the West Memphis Three has captivated me. It saddens me, angers me and makes me wonder if there's any reason to believe in the words written in the U.S. Constitution.

Damien mainly recounts his youth in 'My Life Story' and what led up to his years on death row. It could have been any of us. But while inside he transforms himself into an educated, spiritual man. It's inspiring.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a good book review writer or anything, but this book was amazing and it's the true story of one of the West Memphis Three, three boys who were arrested for a murder they couldn't have possibly committed, pretty much just because they wore dark clothes and had long hair and listened to heavy metal. It's an amazing story.

[Leslie]

A former student -- now the head of the ACLU club at the school where I work -- recommended this to me. So far, I'm a little conflicted about the whole reading-the-memoir-of-a-guy-on-death-row-who's-prolly-innocent thing. So ... yeah. We'll see.

... and then I lost the book. It's somewhere. When it turns up, I'll finish it. Almost seems a public duty to do so.